HUNGARY: Human rights committee debates cases of alleged police abuse during the recent riots in Budapest

Record ID: 334614

  • Title: HUNGARY: Human rights committee debates cases of alleged police abuse during the recent riots in Budapest
  • Date: 15th October 2006
  • Summary: (CEEF) BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (OCTOBER 13, 2006) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF COURT BUILDING AND PENAL DETENTION DEPARTMENT VARIOUS OF POLICE VAN AND POLICEMEN OUTSIDE ENTRANCE OF COURT BUILDING WHERE SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE IS HELD VARIOUS OF SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE UNDERWAY CAMERAMEN FILMING HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER TALKING POLICE CHIEF LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) PRESIDENT OF HUNGARIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE, FERENC KOSZEG, SAYING: "I sat through a court trial where there were only policemen witnesses alleging that the young man who stood before the judge had thrown something at the policemen, but they could not say what it was." SESSION UNDERWAY LASZLO BENE, NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF TALKING TO COMMITTEE (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF, LASZLO BENE, SAYING: "I think that in those days [after the first night] since these attacks came as no surprise for us the police acted effectively, in an organized and adequate way and we managed to restore order very quickly." KAROLY KRUCHINA, ALLEGED VICTIM, TALKING TO THE COMMITTEE (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) ALLEGED VICTIM, KAROLY KRUCHINA, SAYING: "There were about a 10-15 strong action police group, wearing a ski mask and without any sign they took me down without a question, kicked me badly all over. They used electric shock gun against me. My brother with his hands raised asked them why they were doing it to me, to which they replied that if he was my brother he should also come." BROTHER OF KAROLY KRUCHINA, VINCE LISTENING SESSION UNDERWAY, PARENT OF ALLEGED VICTIM TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) FATHER OF ALLEGED VICTIM, JOZSEF KAROLY, SAYING: "What made these policemen behave like wild animals? Because those who were acting in that street were like wild animals, and they did not act according to the rules of arrest. I cannot find words to describe it." COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTENING POLICEMAN LOOKING (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF, LASZLO BENE, SAYING: "My standpoint is that if my colleagues have committed wrongful acts during the riots then we will have to investigate them and hold them responsible. But the whole issue should not fall back on the entire Hungarian police and cannot endanger the public's trust in us." HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION REPRESENTATIVES TAKING NOTES CAMERAMAN FILMING BARRED WINDOWS AND HUNGARIAN AND EU FLAGS ON FACADE OF COURT BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 30th October 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Hungary
  • Country: Hungary
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADU3KMA2NH7Y8YAWLBJ2UVNK9B
  • Story Text: The opposition Fidesz party convened parliament's human rights committee for a special session to discuss alleged police excesses and abuse during the riots in Budapest in September.
    The special session was held in the building of the Penal Detention Department of Budapest where several protesters have been held the past weeks.
    The human rights committee invited the minister in charge of law enforcement, the police captains, the ombudsman and several human rights organizations, as well as people who complained about the police excesses and witnesses to the alleged abuse.
    The Fidesz chairman of the committee said he had called the meeting in order to clarify the rights of a person simply walking along the street, a peaceful demonstrator, and a police officer.
    Several members of the governing Hungarian Socialist part, MSZP, have suggested that this is not the time for such a meeting. One government MP argued that police were still investigating events and it would be wiser to wait for the results. The opposition, however, wanted to meet as soon as possible.
    Human rights organisations told the meeting that they had several people coming to them complaining about being beaten for no reason at the time of their arrests as well as in detention. Others complained of unfair treatment during court trials.
    "I sat through a court trial where there were only policemen witnesses alleging that the young man who stood before the judge had thrown something at the policemen, but they could not say what it was," said President of Hungarian Helsinki Committee Ferenc Koszeg.
    The Chief of the National Police said they had acted according to the situation.
    "I think that in those days [after the first night] since these attacks came as no surprise for us the police acted effectively, in an organized and adequate way and we managed to restore order very quickly," Laszlo Bene said.
    The committee heard of three specific cases of alleged abuse.
    "There were about a 10-15 strong action police group, wearing a ski mask and without any sign they took me down without a question, kicked me badly all over. They used electric shock gun against me. My brother with his hands raised asked them why they were doing it to me, to which they replied that if he was my brother he should also come," Karoly Kruchina recounted.
    Another case was put forward by the father of an alleged victim who was badly beaten by the police without committing any offence, his father said.
    "What made these policemen behave like wild animals? Because those who were acting in that street were like wild animals, and they did not act according to the rules of arrest. I cannot find words to describe it." Jozsef Karoly told the meeting.
    The special session lasted for several hours. Outside the venue, the brother of Karoly Kruchina, Vince, who was arrested and beaten alongside his brother told Reuters that he considered these cases as part of an intimidation campaign to scare off people from attending demonstrations.
    "What's happening in Hungary today, in my view, is intimidation. Instead of apologizing to us, we are charged by the prosecution and the court with serious crimes. I think this is outrageous. I, as a sociologist, consider civilian courage very important. My brother and I are not re-trained democrats, but we grew up and socialized in the democracy and this appals and saddens me," Vince Kruchina said.
    The National Police Chief said they would investigate any possible wrongful acts.
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